Each bank has its own benefits, interest rates, withdrawal conditions or tie-in periods.
If you lack your own resources, try to use the service of experienced financial advisers who can analyze the banks’ offer instead of you. They can also help you to go through the whole process faster and more efficiently.
The Association of Financial Agents and AdvisersOpens in a new window
Good to know
If you are buying a property with a help of real estate agency, they will usually draw up a draft of the purchase contract for you. However, we recommend to use the services of experienced lawyers who will help you to adjust the purchase contract so that you are not unpleasantly surprised in the future. You may experience similar unpleasant surprises if you buy the property yourself and use the sample contract that you downloaded from the Internet.
The purchase contract may be in a form of notarized document. The advantage of this kind of contract is shorter cadastral procedure, but you must expect higher financial costs. If you decide this is the best choice for you, ask a notary or lawyer about the price in advance.
In most cases, with a mortgage loan, the purchase contract is signed directly at the bank.
In that case, an officially verified signature of the seller must be part of the contract. The next step is that the seller signs collateral contracts and finally it is your turn to sign a mortgage loan agreement.
What do you have to attach to a proposal for entry into the local cadastre?
Who applies for proposal for entry into the cadastre?
It can be secured by a real estate agency, the seller, you as the buyer, or another authorized person. It should be agreed and written down in advance in a purchase contract. In most cases, the buyer arranges the proposal for entry into the cadastre himself and also pays the administrative fee.
Can you apply for proposal for entry electronically?
Yes, but all the attachments have to be signed by qualified electronic signature by all sides.
If you have documents only in paper form but you want to submit the proposal for entry electronically, you have to convert the documents into the electronic form with e-signature.
How long will you wait for decision that the proposal was approved?
How much will you pay for the proposal?
You do not become the owner of the property by signing the purchase contract but on the day when the cadastre allows the proposal.
You will find out about this in the decision which the cadastre send you. You can look for the information continuously on the Real Estate Cadastre Electronic Services Portal.
You signed a purchase contract with the previous owner, in which you agreed on the date and conditions of the property handover. On this occasion, it is important to write a handover protocol where all meter readings should be recorded (electricity, water and gas). It should also include number of keys to be handed over. This report is written in the presence of the former and current owner.
Having a clear documentation of the apartment handover is also useful, for example when you make energy transfer. You can also invite a certified inspector who points out obvious errors, risks and necessary warranty claims. You will especially appreciate the presence of an inspector if you are buying a new build property.
After the apartment or house handover, the previous owner must arrange for the supply of electricity, water and gas to be de-energised. Subsequently, you as a new owner set up a connection and choose a supplier, preferably as soon as possible.
What will you need?
Example of distributors:
Regardless of whether you have or do not have a television receiver, you are obliged to pay concessionary fees (or TV Licence) once you are the payer of electricity. You pay the fee only once even if you pay electricity in several places. However, you must report it to the relevant RTVS institution. You are obligated to pay from the month following the month in which you became an electricity customer.
You must report a change of permanent residence to the relevant municipal or city office, in person during office hours or electronically.
What will you need:
When changing permanent residence, you must:
Read more in the separate guide to changing your permanent or temporary residence.Opens in a new window
You must admit the change of ownership of the property. You are also obliged to file the tax return for the newly acquired property by January 31 of the following year at the latest. Do so to the relevant tax administrator (city or municipality, depending on the place where the property is located).
Submit the completed document at the tax department of your city. You can choose if you use postal services, go there in person or you authorize somebody else to do it. You can file the tax return electronically only if your city or municipality support this kind of service. Property ownership is taxed by municipalities and cities with their own rules.
Read more about tax obligations in the Property Tax GuideOpens in a new window
Electronic communication with the state
If you do not have an experience with electronic communication with the state, read our guide with advice on where to start.
After changing your permanent residence, you have 30 days to notify your municipality and sign up to pay for household waste services. You can do so in your city or municipality in person during office hours or electronically. The fee is usually paid once a year and the amount is given by local laws (generally binding regulations).